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District 11 approves direct-pay contract with 1Medical for employee primary care
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Summary
The Colorado Springs School District No. 11 board approved Resolution 2026-24 on Jan. 28 to authorize a direct-pay contract with 1Medical for primary care services, effective Feb. 1, 2026; staff said the move is expected to produce roughly $375,000 in savings over 5 years and 5 months with no plan or price changes for members.
The Colorado Springs School District No. 11 Board of Education voted Jan. 28 to approve Resolution 2026-24, authorizing a direct-pay contract with 1Medical for the district’s employee primary care services effective Feb. 1, 2026. The motion was moved by Director Raul and approved by roll call.
District staff told the board the change would not alter benefit plans or member prices; rather, it shifts payment for primary care from Kaiser Permanente to a direct arrangement with 1Medical. Chris, a member of the district benefits team, said the procurement office would execute the contract and noted the district and consulting partner USI had reviewed the agreement. "This is a contractual transaction. It has no plan changes. It has no price changes. It is seamless to the member," Chris said.
Benefits staff and district leadership framed the change as a financial relief measure after claims exceeded the ceiling in the current Kaiser contract. The benefits presentation estimated cost savings of approximately $375,000 over a five-year, five-month period. The chair also referenced a figure provided by Dr. Comfort indicating about $75,000 in monthly savings as additional rationale for holding a special meeting to capture January savings.
Director Jorgensen summarized the practical effect in simpler terms during discussion: "We used to pick Kaiser, and then Kaiser would pay 1Medical. And we are finding cost savings to the district by now going directly to 1Medical and kind of cutting out that middleman." The board recorded aye votes and the chair announced the motion had passed.
The resolution directs district administration and procurement to execute the direct-pay contract immediately; staff said the arrangement would run through the end of the current fiscal year, and the benefits team will present more details on Feb. 4. The district said the agreement had been reviewed by the benefits team and consulting partners with USI.
Vote: The board approved Resolution 2026-24 by roll call; the chair announced the ayes carried and the motion passed.
Next steps: Procurement will execute the contract with 1Medical, with staff to present further benefit details at the Feb. 4 meeting.
